Target HR

What I read was that you should keep your heart rate up as high as you can stand it for as long as you can stand it...in a nutshell

I can't imagine a reason why someone would give that sort of advice. Running like that, consistently, is an excellent way to get injured and turned off of exercise.

If you want to start running, you might drop in to the running thread in the "Other" section or log in to runnersworld.com

I read this from a Jillian Michael's newsletter:


Get Your Heart Rate on Target

Q: When I'm doing cardio, my target heart rate is supposed to be at 85 percent. How do I know what that is, and how do I measure it during my workout?

A: To determine your target heart rate, you should first figure out your maximum heart rate (MHR). This is done by subtracting your age from 220. For example, I'm 36, so check it out: 220 – 36 = 184 (so now I know my MHR is 184). Then I take 85 percent of 184, which gives me 156, so that's my target heart rate — the ideal number of times my heart should beat in one minute when I'm training.

The easiest way to keep track of your heart rate is by wearing a heart rate monitor. If you don't want to spring for one, no problem — just find your pulse, either on your wrist or on your neck (usually right next to your larynx), count the number of times your heart beats in 6 seconds, and then multiply that number by 10.

That said, it's pretty tough to keep your heart rate at 85 percent, so don't be discouraged if you can't at first. Work your way up to it. There will also be times when your heart rate will reach 100 percent of your MHR — if this happens, don't worry. It's not unhealthy, it's just VERY difficult to sustain over 45 to 60 minutes of cardio — which is why 85 percent is the magic number for cardio training.

One footnote before you start doing all the math: If you're on medication for a heart condition, talk to your doctor. Your healthy heart rate range might be a little different than you'd expect.

I read this from a Jillian Michael's newsletter:


Get Your Heart Rate on Target

Q: When I'm doing cardio, my target heart rate is supposed to be at 85 percent. How do I know what that is, and how do I measure it during my workout?

A: To determine your target heart rate, you should first figure out your maximum heart rate (MHR). This is done by subtracting your age from 220. For example, I'm 36, so check it out: 220 – 36 = 184 (so now I know my MHR is 184). Then I take 85 percent of 184, which gives me 156, so that's my target heart rate — the ideal number of times my heart should beat in one minute when I'm training.

The easiest way to keep track of your heart rate is by wearing a heart rate monitor. If you don't want to spring for one, no problem — just find your pulse, either on your wrist or on your neck (usually right next to your larynx), count the number of times your heart beats in 6 seconds, and then multiply that number by 10.

That said, it's pretty tough to keep your heart rate at 85 percent, so don't be discouraged if you can't at first. Work your way up to it. There will also be times when your heart rate will reach 100 percent of your MHR — if this happens, don't worry. It's not unhealthy, it's just VERY difficult to sustain over 45 to 60 minutes of cardio — which is why 85 percent is the magic number for cardio training.

One footnote before you start doing all the math: If you're on medication for a heart condition, talk to your doctor. Your healthy heart rate range might be a little different than you'd expect.

Thank you for posting this. I was not sure about what heart rate should be at either.

I read this from a Jillian Michael's newsletter:


Get Your Heart Rate on Target

Q: When I'm doing cardio, my target heart rate is supposed to be at 85 percent. How do I know what that is, and how do I measure it during my workout?

A: To determine your target heart rate, you should first figure out your maximum heart rate (MHR). This is done by subtracting your age from 220. For example, I'm 36, so check it out: 220 – 36 = 184 (so now I know my MHR is 184). Then I take 85 percent of 184, which gives me 156, so that's my target heart rate — the ideal number of times my heart should beat in one minute when I'm training.

The easiest way to keep track of your heart rate is by wearing a heart rate monitor. If you don't want to spring for one, no problem — just find your pulse, either on your wrist or on your neck (usually right next to your larynx), count the number of times your heart beats in 6 seconds, and then multiply that number by 10.

That said, it's pretty tough to keep your heart rate at 85 percent, so don't be discouraged if you can't at first. Work your way up to it. There will also be times when your heart rate will reach 100 percent of your MHR — if this happens, don't worry. It's not unhealthy, it's just VERY difficult to sustain over 45 to 60 minutes of cardio — which is why 85 percent is the magic number for cardio training.

One footnote before you start doing all the math: If you're on medication for a heart condition, talk to your doctor. Your healthy heart rate range might be a little different than you'd expect.

Thank you for posting this. I was not sure about what heart rate should be at either.

The MHR calc used above is wildly inaccurate and outdated. Look online for brianmac.com for much more recent formulae suited to your lifestyle, gender, age and which activity you are engaging in.

Brian Mac's theory is not that different than Phil Maffetone's. I utilize the Maffetone Method when I'm spinning on my bike with a track stand. His theory is to work in a zone that burns fat and makes your body work more efficiently. Having trained with an HRM (for the better part of 25 years) at the upper training levels, I can say the Maffetone Method is much harder. It may be because I am having to train my body to work at a slower, longer & more consistent level.